Ice-making machine



March 25, 1952 J. w. BRAswELL, JR

ICE-MAKING MACHINE 'I sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jan. 18, 1949 ef. W'H/'CLSM/elll, a".

March 25, 1952 J. w. BRASWELL, JR l 2,590,499

ICE-MAKING MACHINE Mmm i J 45mm/ell, Jr'.

m @Www/f' ATTORNEY March 25, 1952 J. w. BRAswELL., JR 2,590,499

ICE-MAKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 18, 1949 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 H @f f2@ 12B )I FLQ. 7.

J. Wraswell, efr

'j www ATTORN EY March 25, 1952 J. W. BRASWELL, JR

ICE-MAKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 18, 1949 ..4 fihi!! 7. .N

el V. Hragswell/.efr

March 25, 1952 J.; w. BRAswELL., JR 2,590,499

ICE-MAKING MACHNE '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 18, 1949 gmc/wm J W'Hraswell,efr.

ATTOR N EY March 25, 1952 J. W. BRASWELL, JR

ICE-MAKING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 vFile'd Jan. 18, 1949 JWBrsn/eZZ, @W

ATTOR N EY March 25, 1952 J. w. BRASWELL, JR

ICE-MAKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. 18, 1949 il J' 'L l ATTORN EY Patented Mar. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

My invention relates to an ice making machine.

An important object of the invention is to provide a machine for producing ice in chip or fragmentary form, such ice having a wide variety of commercial uses.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ice making machine which is completely automatic, continuous in its operation, and capable of producing large quantities of ice.

A further object is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character which employs a novel arrangement of evaporator elements for forming ice, and a novel master valve connected with the evaporator elements in such a manner that ice is formed upon certain of the evaporator elements while it is defrosted simultaneously and automatically from other evaporator elements.

A further object is to provide an ice making machine wherein ice is formed in relatively large pieces near the bottom of a tank, which is filled with Water, the ice subsequently floating to the top of the tank, where it is crushed into small.

fragments and scooped up and conveyed automatically to suitable containers outside of the machine.

A further object is to provide an ice making machine of the above mentioned character including an electric circuit for automatically controlling the cycle of operation of the machine, and having a thermostatic switch, responsive to the temperature changes of the water in the storage tank.

A further important object is to provide a machine of the above mentioned type, including a master valve having a novel indexing mechanism for causinga defrosting cycle to occur in one evaporator element, while a freezing cycle occurs simultaneously in the other evaporator elements.

A still further object is to provide an ice making machine which is highly eicient in operation, and designed for a long life in operation, the parts of the machine being arranged in a highly compact manner, enclosed within a substantially unitary heat insulated casing.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of an ice making Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation, viewed from the opposite side of the machine, part in section,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the machine, as viewed from the right hand side of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is an enlarged central vertical longitudinal section taken on line 5 5 of Figure 2, part broken away,

Figure 5a is a schematic view of an electrical circuit for the machine,

Figure 6 is a plan View of the machine,

Figure 'l is a fragmentary vertical section, taken on line 1 1 of Figure 5,

Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 5,

Figure 9 is a horizontal section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 5,

Figure 10 is a horizontal section taken on line Ill--IIJ of Figure 5,

Figure 11 is an enlarged central Vertical longitudinal section of a single evaporator element and associated parts,

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on line |2|2 of Figure 11,

Figure 13 is an enlarged plan View of a master valve removed, parts in section, f

Figure 14 is a central vertical section taken o line Inl- I4 of Figure 1'3, parts in elevation,

Figure 15 is a horizontal section taken on line l5-I5 of Figure 14,

Figure 16 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line IB-l 6 of Figure 15,

Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary central vertical section taken substantially upon the same line as Figure 14, parts broken away,

Figure 17a is a similar section through the lower portion of the master valve,

Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 17a, and showing different operating positions of elements of the master valve,

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic view showing refrigerating and defrosting cycles, and,

Figure 20 is a perspective View of a bellows thermostatic valve, removed.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 25 designates generally a unitary casing or housing for the machine. This casing 25 is rectangular in horizontal cross section and comprises a lower rectangular main body portion26, and has pairs of opposed sides 2l and 28, Figures l, 2, 4, 5 and 8. The casing 25 also includes an upper open rectangular extension or chimney 29, having inwardly oiset sides 29', and extending for the full distance between the sides 21. The chimney 29 is substantially narrower than the distance between the sides 28, as shown, and the lower ends f the sides 29' are connected with the adjacent sides of the main body portion 26 by opposed inclined upwardly converging panels 33. The unitary casing 25 also includes a at bottom 3|, and the entire outer surface of the casing 25 is covered with a suitable heat insulating jacket 32.

Arranged a substantial distance above the bottom 3| is a flat horizontal rectangular plate 33, and this plate is rigidly secured around its marginal edge to the pairs of sides 2`| and 23, and forms with such sides a water tight joint. The plate 33 and sides 21 and 23 above the plate, constitute a large rectangular water storage tank, wherein ice is formed. At the same elevation as the inclined panels 33, vand extending inwardly7 of the sides 2 is a pair of opposed inclined upwardly converging inner panels 34 and 35, forming with the panels 33 an upper pyramid-shaped extension of the water storage tank. The panels 30, 34 and 35 form with the sides 21 and 23 a unitary water tight construction. The upper ends of the inclined panels 34 and 35 carry spaced vertical extensions or panels 36, integral therewith, and these panels 33 extend for the full width of chimney 29, between the sides 29 thereof, and. form therewith an inner top reduced rectangular extension 37 for the water storage tank, which is open at the top end. The upper ends of panels 36 extend to the same elevation as the top edges of sides 23 and 2.

Rigidly secured within openings in the plate 33, is a group of vertical evaporator elements 33, Figures 1, 2, 4, and 8. In the form of the invention herewith disclosed, I provide 30 of the evaporator elements 38, arranged in a rectangular group, the group having six straight rows of five evaporator elements each, the evaporator elements being arranged in spaced relation in each row, Figure 1. The evaporator elements 33 project above the plate 33 for a substantial distance. Each evaporator element 38 forms a water tight joint with the plate 33, and comprises an outer substantially cylindrical sleeve 39, Figure 1l, provided at its top end with a conically tapered cap 40. The sleeve 33 is preferably tapered slightly toward its top end, and formed of suitable non-corrosive metal, which is a good conductor of heat. This sleeve has a tapered cap 40 which may be formed integral therewith and this cap has an inner lining li of heat insulating material. The purpose of the heat insulating lining is to prevent the formation of ice upon the cap 40, which formation would produce a vacuum, retarding the removal of the cylindrical ice tube to be formed upon each evaporator element 38. Each evaporator element 38 further includes a central vertically extending metal tube 4|, arranged substantially concentric with the sleeve 33 and spaced radially therefrom. r.The tube 4| is open at its top end close to and beneath the cap 43, and extends for substantially the entire length of the sleeve 39, to a point just below the tank bottom or plate 33, where it is bent to form a radial arm or extension 42, Figures 5 and 9, which extends outwardly through an aperture provided in the sleeve 39, directly below the plate 33. The tube extension 42 forms a gas tight joint with the sleeve 39, and the tube extension is continued to form downwardly extending portions 43, bent at their bottom ends to form radially inwardly extending sections 35, which converge toward the center of the machine. At their inner ends the radial tube sections 55 are bent downwardly to form short vertical sections 46 which lead to a master valve 41, to be described. The various tube extensions including sections 43 are thoroughly heat insulated by means of insulation 46', preferably in the form of a continuous mass, and this insulation also extends about the master valve 41, as shown at The purpose of this insulation is to prevent any substantial or perceptible vaporization of the liquid refrigerant within the tubes exteriorly of the sleeves 33. Each evaporator element 38 further comprises a continuous spiral vane 48, Figure 11, surrounding the central tube 4| and contacting the side of each tube and the inner surface of the sleeve 39 and rigidly secured thereto, and forming a spiral passage 49 between the tube 4| and sleeve 33. The spiral vane 4B extends between the open tcp end of the tube 4| and the radial tube section 32, Figure 11.

Arranged within the bottom of each sleeve 33v is a horizbontal plate 3 forming a gas-tight joint therewith and this plate has an opening forming a valve seat 45 to be engaged and disengaged by a valve element lll arranged above the plate 3Q. This valve element is carried by a bellows thermostatic element 42 containing an expansible liquid. At its top the bellows thermostatic element is secured to an inverted U- shaped bracket 423', attached to the plate 39', as shown. The bellows thermostatic element is biased to unseat the valve 4| during the freezing cycle and will seat the valve fil' during the defrosting cycle. As the hot gas passes through the tube 4| and enters the sleeve 39, it contacts with the bellows thermostatic element, causing the same to expand, whereby the sleeve 3S is closed during the major portion of the defrosting cycle whereby the hot gas remains under substantially its original pressure when within the sleeve 33 during the major portion of the defrosting cycle. At the end of the defrosting cycle the hot gas is cut off and the liquid refrigerant enters the sleeve 33 and this expanding liquid immediately acts upon the bellows thermostatic element, causing it to unseat the valve 4|' so that the pressure is reduced in the sleeve 39. The plate 39 has a contracted discharge port 44', Figure 20, which permits of the draining of the liquid accumulating within the sleeve 39 when the hot gas condenses during the defrosting period. This drain port 34 has a much smaller diameter than the bores of the tubes 5| and hence does not materially reduce the pressure in the sleeve 39 when the valve 4|' is seated. The port 34 has a larger diameter than the restrictor ports 55, to be described, Figure 17. I have found that satisfactory results can be obtained by having the ports 5S 2/64 of an inch in diameter, while the drain port 35| is 3/64 of an inch, while of course the invention is not restricted to these precise dimensions, but the arrangement should be such that the liquid can be drawn through the port 4d faster than it can be supplied through the restrictor port 56.

The evaporator sleeves 39 project for a short distance beneath the plate 33, as shown at 43, Figures 1, 2, 5 and 9, and the bottom ends of the sleeves 39 in each of the six straight rows lead into a horizontal return pipe or duct 5U. The ducts 53 extend for substantially the full distance between the sides 28 and at one end lead and casing 52.

58' of the ducts 5l] are closed. The duct 5| extends through one side 21 of the casing and leads .to a refrigerant compressing unit of conventional construction.

The master valve 41 is arranged centrally upon within the top of the cylindrical casing 52 is a -valve plate or disc 54, provided with 30 vertical lports or passages 55, arranged in an annular -group near the outer periphery of the disc 54.

The bottom ends of the inner vertical sections 46, of tubes 4|, are securely mounted within the top ends of the ports 55. Inclined restrictor yports 56 lead from the inner sides of the ports 55 and extend through the bottom surface of the disc 54, Figure 17. These restrictor ports preferably have a diameter of 2/64 of an inch, although this may vary. The stationary valve disc 54 is further provided with a large central opening 51 for receiving the bottom end of a liquid refrigerant inlet pipe 58, having, a horizontal section 59 arranged below the ducts 59 and leading to a thermostatic liquid control valve 60. This control valve is operated by a thermostatic device including a remote bulb 68 in thermal contact with the return duct 5|. The arrangement is such that when the temperature rises in the duct 5| beyond a predetermined point the control valve 60 opens, thus admitting more liquid refrigerant. This insures the proper supply of the liquid refrigerant. This control valve and thermostatic device for operating it may be of 'any conventional construction.

Attention is now called to the diagrammatic view shown in Figure 19. As shown in this ligure, the return duct or pipe 5| leads to the Vintake side of the compressor 519', the outlet 'in the pipe 52a upon the discharge side of the compressor 5|a and by-passes the control valve 60 and condenser coil 53a. A horizontal pipe 6| -extends from the valve 60 outwardly through one side 21 of the casing, and leads to the refrigerant condenser unit. The pipe 6| constitutes the main liquid refrigerant line from the condenser.

A*The stationary disc 54, Figures 13 and 17, is provided in its bottom face and upon opposite sides of the annular group of ports 55 with concentric annular recesses or grooves 62 and 63. Rotatably mounted within the cylindrical casing 52, and disposed directly beneath the stationary valve disc 54 is a rotatable valve disc 64, provided in its Aupper face with a main circular refrigerant holding recess or chamber 65, the periphery of which extends radially outwardly of the lower ends of the inclined radial ports 56, Figure 17. The central refrigerant chamber 65 is in direct communication with the vertical refrigerant inlet pipe 58. The rotatable disc 54 is provided upon its top surface with a pair of radially spaced concentric annular ribs or tongues 66 and 51, to engage in the grooves 62 and 63 for forming a seal between the central chamber 65, ports 55 The grooves and ribs also form -apositive guide for the rotatable valve disc 64. At one point on the periphery of the chamber 65. the disc 64 is provided with a radially inwardly projecting boss 68, Figures 13 and 17, flush with the top face of the disc 64, and adapted to cover the open bottom end of any one of the ports 56, where they lead into the chamber 65. Adjacent to the boss 68 the rotatable disc 64 has a single vertical port 69 having a tapered orifice 10 at its top end, and the port 69 is arranged to be moved adjacent to the open bottom end of any one of the vertical ports 55 of the stationary disc 54. A slight distance below the disc 64, the cylindrical casing 52 is provided with a radial opening 1 I, Figure 14, having secured therein the end of a pipe or conduit 12, provided with an inwardly tapered orice 13. The pipe 12 leads to the warm gas side of the refrigerant condenser unit, not shown, and through this pipe 12 the warm refrigerant gas enters the casing 52 below the rotatable valve disc 64, so that it may enter the single port 69. Formed integral with the disc 64 is a central depending stem or shank 14, extending to the bottom 53. Surrounding the depending shank 14 at a point near the vertical center of the master valve, and receiving the shank for free rotation within it, is a horizontal ring or collar 15, having a radially projecting head 16, Figures '1a and 18, provided with a recess 11 for receiving the inner end of a, radical xed shaft or pin 18, having an outer screw threaded head 19, secured within a screw threaded opening 89 in the side of the casing 52. The fixed pin 18 holds the collar 15 against rotation. Rotatably mounted upon the pin 18 inwardly of the side of casing 52 is a gear 8|, Figures 14, 15 and 16, having an axially extending hub 82. The inner end of the hub 82 is provided with inclined teeth 83, Figure 18, to co-act with companion inclined teeth 84, formed upon the outer vertical face of a rotatable one-way clutch element or disc 85, Figures 15 and 18, having an opening to slidably receive the pin 18 therethrough. The one-way clutch element 85 is urged outwardly into engagement with the hub 82 by means of an expansible coil spring 86, which surrounds the pin 18 between the outer face of head 16 and inner side of element 85. This is a conventional one-way clutch construction for rotating the gear 8| with a step-by-step motion in one direction. The one-way clutch element 85 has a radial arm or crank 81, Figure 16, which extends. upwardly within the casing 52 and is pivotally connected at its top end with a, horizontal link or rod 88, extending through a radial opening 89 formed in the casing 52. The outer end of the link 85 is pivotally connected to a reciprocatory magnet 90 which operates in a horizontal cylindrical sleeve or casing 9|, having a flange 92 which is secured to the outer periphery of the casing 52, Figure 15. The casing 9| has a closed outer end 93, having mounted thereon a stationary magnet 94, extending into the sleeve 9|.

An energizing coil is mounted upon the sleeve 9|, adjacent to the outer stationary magnet 94, Figure 15, and an expansible coil spring 96 is arranged between the inner movable magnet 90 and the outer end 93, as shown. The spring 96 serves to bias the magnet 90 inwardly, or away from magnet 94, when the coil 95 is de-energized, and each time coil 95 is energized the magnet 90 is drawn into contact with the stationary magnet 94, and through the one-way clutch element 85, the gear 8| is rotated counterclockwise, Figure 16, in a step-by-step manner. The magnet 90 has axial ports 91 which permits the slow passage of oil through the magnet, to produce a braking or dash-pot effect upon the movable magnet 9g the casing 752 .being ll'ed with oil to a lever 98 substantially adjacent tothe bottom edgev of the pipe12.. The oil will of course enter the casing or sleeve 9| through the opening 89. It is thus seen that the solenoid comprising magnets 90, 94, and associated elements, as well as the gear 8| and one-way clutch element 85, operate submergedin oil. Directly beneath the collar 15, the shank 14 is machined to provide a hexagonal portion 99, having mounted upon it for rotation with the valve kdisc. 64 a large horizontal ring gear |003, having teeth |`0|` formed upon its top face and arranged in an annular group, and engaged by the teeth of gear 8|, Adjacent to itsouter periphery and upon its lower face the ring gear isprovided withan annular group of equidistantly spaced smoothly curved cam elements or teeth |02. Beneath thev hexagonal portion 99, the rotatable shank 14 has a reduced cylindrical portion |03, and surrounding such portion is` a vertically shiftable non-rotatable plate |04, having a large central opening |05, and provided upon its upper face with an annular group of raised equidistantly spaced smoothly curved cam elements or teeth. |06, for co-aotion with the companion teeth |02. The plate |04 is provided at points on its periphery with radially extending lugs |01, which operate in vertical grooves |08 cut in the inner face of casing 52. A large expansible coil spring |09 is arranged between the bottom face of the plate |04 and and the bottom 53, Figure le, and serves to urge the plate |04 upwardly to maintain the teeth |06 in contact with the teeth |02. The ring gear |00 has a central upstanding hub |00 which engages the lower end of the collar 15 for supporting the same against downward movement. The shank 14 further includes a bottom reduced extension I||, forming an annular shoulder ||2 engaged by a washer or disc I|3. The washer I I3 is urged against the shoulder I I2 by an inner strong expansible coil spring I|4, which has its bottom end engaging the bottom 53, Figure 14. The spring I |4 serves to cushion the entire spindle or shank 14, and urges the rotatable valve disc 64 upwardly into sliding contact with the bottom of thefixed disc 54. The elements within the cylindrical casing 52 are assembled through the bottom end of the same when the bottom 53 is removed.

An intermediate upstanding panel H5 is secured atits bottom end to the inclined panel 34, Figures 1 and 5, and extends transversely between sides 29', and is rigidly secured thereto at its opposite side edges. The top edgeV of the panel ||5 is arranged adjacent to the top edges of the sides 36. A horizontal shaft H6, Figures 1, 2 and 5, is journaled in fixed bearings ||1 and I I8, rigidly mounted upon the outer sides of panel I I5 and one side 21, respectively, Figure 5. The shaft IIS has mounted upon its left end, Figure 5, and between panel ||5 and the adjacent side 21, a large gear II'9, Figures 1, 2 and 5, driven by a worm gear |29, mounted upon an armature shaft extension |2| of an electric motor |22. The armature shaft extension |2| is journaled in fixed bearings |23, mounted upon the outer face of the adjacent panel H5, Figure 4. The motor |22 is suitably rigidly mounted upon the adjacent side 29', Figure 6, and its inner end projects into the space or compartment between the panel I i5 and adjacent side 21, Figure 4. Inwardly of the panel ||5 and between such panel and the adjacent panel 36, the shaft |I6 has secured to it for rotation therewith a gear |24, Figures 1, 2, 4 and 19, which. meshes withand. drives an idler gear |25, mounted upon axshaft; journaled in fixed bearings |26, mounted. upon the opposed faces of panels I I5 and 36, Figures 4 and 5.V The idler gear |25 is arranged below the shaft IIB and to one side of the same, Figure 2. The idler gearV |25 meshes with a gear |26', Figures4 1, Zand 5., mounted upon a shaftV |21, journaled in fixed bearings |28, rigidly mounted uponv the.` outer faces of panels 35, Figure 5. The shaft. |21 extends entirely across the reduced tank extension 31, and has mounted upon it for rotation therewith, a. cylindrical ice crushing drum |29, having radially projecting teeth or spikes |30, arranged in staggered spaced relation about the periphery of the drum. A companion icev crushing drum |31, having radially projectingl teeth or spikes |.3|, is mounted uponahorizontal. shaft |32,` for rotation therewith, and the shaft |32 extendsv entirely across and through the tankl extension 31 at the same elevation as the shaft |21, Figures 2 and 7. The shaft |32 is journaled in xed bearings |33, Figure 2, rigidly mounted upon the outer sides of panels 36 and spaced laterally from the bearings |28. The shafts |21 and |32 are disposed equidistantly upon opposite sides of the vertical center line of the tank extension, 31, Figure 7.. Mounted upon the shaft |32, outwardly of the left hand panel 36, Figure 5, and adjacent to and meshing with gear |26 is a gear |34 of slightly larger diameter than the gear |26', so that the crusher druml |3| will rotate at a slightly slower speed than the crusher drum |29, Figures l, 2 and 6.

Mounted upon the shaft |,I6 for rotation therewith is a conveyor scoop |35, Figures 1, 2 and 5, which is elongated and generally cylindrical. rIhe conveyor scoop includes a. generally radially offset elongated mouth or scoop |36 adapted to enter between the panels 36, Figure 5, as the conveyor scoop rotates counterclockwise, Figure 7. The conveyor scoop |33 is arranged at the transverse center of the reduced tank extension 31 and above and equidistantly spaced from the crushing drums |29 and I3|. The longitudinal axis of the conveyor scoop and shaft |I6 is adjacent to the top end of the tank extension 31, so that half of the generally cylindrical conveyor scoop projects into the top of the tank extension 31. The right hand panel 36, Figure 5, has a semicircular notch |31 to rotatably receive an axial cylindrical extension |38 of the conveyor scoop |35. The extension |38 has an open ared discharge end |39, so that the contents of the conveyor scoop may empty into an inclined chute |40, secured within an opening formed in the adjacent side 21, and having its lower end projecting laterally outwardly of the side 21, as at |4|. The upper end of the chute |40 engages beneath and around the cylindrical extension |38, inwardly of the discharge end |39, so that the contents of the conveyor scoop |35 may discharge into the chute |40 and be delivered to suitable containers arranged outside of the machine and beneath the lower end |4|. The entire conveyor scoop |35 is preferably formed of foraminous material, such as stainless steel wire mesh. Arranged generally diametrically opposite the scoop portion or mouth |36, isa plurality of axially spaced spirally curved segmental vanes |42, Figures 5 and 7. VThese vanes |42 are rigidly secured to the cylindrical side of the conveyor scoop |35 and form means to ad- Vance the chips of ice in the conveyor scoop. toward the discharge end |39, as the scoop rotates -counterclockwise Figure 7.

Spaced inwardly from and near 'the sides 28 of the outer casing 25 and extending between the sides 21, and rigidly secured thereto, are flat vertical plates or bafes |43, Figures 1 and 2, bent at their upper ends to form inclined upwardly converging baiiie extensions |44, spaced inwardly of and parallel to the panels 69, Figure 2. The top edges of the bafiie extensions |44 terminate close to the peripheries of the drums |29 and |3| Figures 1, 2 and '1, and the baille extensions serve to guide floating tubular ice cylinders |45, formed upon the evaporator elements 38, between the spikes of the crusher drums, where they are crushed into small fragments or chips. The inclined panels 34 and 35, which are arranged at right angles to the baffie extensions |44, also function to guide the ice cylinders |45 into the rotary ice crusher drums. The bottom ends of the baiiles |43 terminate a short distance above the plate or bottom 33, Figure 2.

Arranged above the crusher` drums |29 and |3|, respectively are a pair of opposed swinging baiiies |46 and |41. The lower end of the baffle |46 is pivotally connected with the adjacent side 29' as at |46', and the baille |46 is freely swingable vertically within the tank extension 31. The baffle |46 extends for substantially the full width of the tank extension 31, between the panels 36, Figure 6, and is provided with an upturned end portion |41. A pair of short stops |48 are rigidly mounted upon the panels 36, and are arranged beneath the baie |46 and adapted to contact the barile |46 so that it cannot swing below the inclined position of Figure '1. The baille |46, however, is free to swing upwardly when struck by the outer edge of the scoop |316. The baiile |41 is pivotally connected in a similar manner to the opposite side 29', as at |49, and includes an upturned inclined extension |59. A pair of short stops are rigidly secured to the panels 36, and are arranged beneath the baille |41 to limit the downward swing-A ing of the same. The baiiie |41 is freely swingable upwardly, like the baille |46. The swingable baffles |46 and |41 serve to yieldinglyguide and convey the crushed ice into the scoop or mouth |36 of the conveyor scoop |35, as such ice is forced upwardly by the rotating Crusher drums.

The shaft |32 extends axially outwardly of one panel 36, Figures 3 and 4, and between such panel and the side 21 having the chute |40, and is provided outwardly of the adjacent bearing |33 with a sprocket wheel |52, Figures 1 and 3. Arranged above the sprocket wheel |52 .and mounted upon the adjacent outer face of panel 36 is a xed bearing |53, rotatably supporting a shaft |54, having a sprocket wheel |55 mounted thereon for rotation therewith. A sprocket chain |56 operatively connects the sprocket wheels |52 and |55, Figure 3. The sprocket Wheel |55 carries an eccentric pin |51, and pivotally connected with the eccentric pin is a rod or link |53 having its upper end pivotally connected with one end of a swingable arm or link |59, pivotally connected near its mid-point with a xed upright bar |60, rigidly mounted upon the adjacent panel 36, Figures 3 and 4. The inner end of swingable arm |59 has secured to it a mercury switch |6|, having 'a pair of terminals |62 and |63, connected with wires |64 and |65, respectively, which lead to a junction box |65 secured to the inner face of a removable semi-cylindrical cover or dome |61, having a heat insulating covering or jacket |61. The action of the eccentric pin |51, .and associated elements, swings the mercury switch |6|, to make and break a circuit, to control the stepby-sitep rotation of the valve disc '64, through the alternate energizing and de-energizing of the coil 95, as will be further explained.

An electric cable |69 leads to the junction box |66 to supply current to the machine. A manual switch may be connected with the cable at any suitable point. A conventional thermostat control switch |16 is mounted upon the cover |61 near the junction box |65, and a capillary tube |1| leads downwardly from the thermostat con- Y trol switch |16 to the interior of the water storage tank beneath the crushing drums |29 and |3|, Figure 3. At its bottom end the tube |1| is connected with a remote bulb |12, which remains submerged in the water of the storage tank. The switch |16 opens when the temperature of the water reaches a selected low degree, thus stopping the operation of the compressor 5 la. It should be mentioned here, that in operation the tank is maintained filled with water to the level L, Figure '1, and the level L is sufciently high to enable the scoop |36 to dip into the water and scoop ltherefrom the ice chips which are propelled upwardly by the crushing drums |29 and |3|.

A oat control valve |68, Figure 3, is mounted upon the top ofthe casing extension 31 and is connected therewith by pipes |69 and a water supply pipe |10 leads into the float control valve |68 and is connected with a suitable source of The oat control valve end projecting through the bottom of the tank plate 33, and the pipe |13 is bent near and above the bottom 3|, forming a generally hori- Zontal drain line |14, Figure 9. A manual valve, |15 is connected in the pipe |13 above the line |14. A separate vertical drain pipe |16 extends,

downwardly along the outer surface of the adjacent side 21, Figures 1 and 2, and extends through such side 21, near the bottom of the same, and is bent to form a horizontal section |11, leading into the drain pipe |13, below the valve |15. The upper end of the drain pipe |16 projects through the adjacent side 21, and is bent to form a short inclined extension |18, which projects above panel 34 and into the space between the panel ||5 and the adjacent side 21. The drain pipe |16 serves'to drain cfr any water which might enter the space between the panel ||5 and ,adiacent side 21, so that the space will not be lled with water, and interfere with the operation of worm gear |29 and gear H9. The panels 34 and 35, Figure 5, are provided with drain openings |19 leading into the compartments above these panels. The compartment inwardly of the panel ||5 is lled with water up to the level L but the compartment outwardly of the panel ||5 is not filled with water, but is adapted to receive overflow water through an opening ||5 formed in the panel l5. This overflow Water discharges through the pipe |16. The two side compartments 34a and 35a and the intermediate compartment are filled with water up to the level L.

Attention is now directed to Figure 5a showing the electrical circuit for the machine. The

cable |69 includes wires |9| and |82 which lead into the main junction box |66, as stated. Wires |63 and |94 lead from the main junction box to terminals and |96 of the electric motor |22. A wire |91 is connected at |88 to the wire |63, between the junction box |66 and the ter- 1l minal |'85, and the wire- |81 leads to the terminal |62 of the `mercury switch |6|, the other terminal |63 of which is connected with awire "|88", leading -to one terminal of the coil 95.

T-he opposite terminal of the coil 95 is connected with aY lWire |89, connected with the wire |84 at |93-, between the junction box |66 and terminal |86 of the motor. A wire |9| is connected atv l|92 to the wire |33, between the point |88 andA terminal |85, and this wire leads to one terminal of the thermostat control switch |10, the other terminal of which is connected with a Ywire |93 which leads to the control circuit of the refrigerant compressing unit, from which unit a wire |94 leads back to and is connected'with the lwire |84, at a point |96, between the point |99 and motor terminal |86. The remote bulb |12 has its tube |1| connected to the thermostat control switch in a conventional manner, as stated.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

Current from the cable |69 enters through the main junction box |66, and passes through wire |83, terminals |85 and |86, and Wire |84 to drive themotor |22 continuously. The motor, Figures 1 and 2, through worm gear |20 and gear I|9 rotates the conveyor scoop |35 continuously, counterclockwise, Figure 7. Gear |24 drives idler gear |25, driving gears |26 and |34, to rotate the crusher drums |29 and |3| continuously in opposite directions, Figures 1 and 2. The crusher drum |29 rotates clockwise and t-he Crusher drum |3| rotates counterclockwise, Figure '7. Since the gear |26 is smaller than the Ygear |34, the crusher drum |29 will be driven faster than the Crusher drum |3|, and this has proven to be desirable.

The sprocket wheel |52, Figures 1, 2 and 3, is driven bythe shaft |32, and through the chain |56, drives sprocket Wheel |55, oscillating link |58 and swinging arm |59 continuously about its pivotal connection with upright bar |60, continuously making and breaking the circuit through th'e'terminals |62 and |63, Figures 1 and 3. Each time the circuit is closed through the terminals |62 and |63, current flows from the wire |83 through wire |81, through the switch |61, through Wire |88', and through the coil 95, for energizing the magnet `90, and through the wire |66 back to the wire |84, Figures 5, 6 and 15. Each time the magnet 94 is thus energized, the magnet 90 is drawn to it, and the link 88 is pulled to the left, Figure 16, swinging. the crank 81 counterclockwise, Figure 16. The one-way clutch element 85 and gear 8| are rotated counterclockwise, Figure 16, and the ring gear |00 is turned a distance limited by the travel of the crank 81 and by the coacting teeth |02 and |06, Figures and 16. Figure 18 shows the action of rteeth |02, |06, and associated elements, as the vring gear |00 is thus turned. Each time the coil 95 is de-energized, the spring 96 turns the crank 81 clockwise, Figure 16, and the one-Way clutch disc 85 turns clockwise while the ring gear 00 maintains its advanced position, being held stationary by the teeth |02 and |06. It is thus seen that as the coil -95 is continuously alternately energized and de-energized, the ring gear |00 and valve disc 64 are rotated in a stepby-'step continuous manner.

Simultaneously with this action, the liquid refrigerant from the receiver tank 54a, Figures 1'7 andr 19, passes through the pipe 6|, control valve 60 and pipe 58 into the central refrigerant chamber 65. This 'liquid refrigerant passing through the pipe 58 is under pressure and passed upwardly through the restrictor ports 56 into the ports 55, where it enters the extensions 46 of the evaporator tubes 4|. TheV refrigerant then passes through tube extensions and 44 into the evaporator units 38, where it passes upwardly through tubes 4|, vand downwardly through the spiral passage V49, where, in extracting -heat from the water in the tank and freezing the tubular cylinders |05, it vaporizes and discharges from the bottom ends `of the outer evaporator 4sleeves 39 into the ducts 56, Figures 12, 13 and 19. The vaporized refrigerant passes from the ducts into the common duct 5| which takes it back to the intake side of the compressor 5-la. IThe restrictor ports 55 retain the desired pressure within the chamber 65. When the liquid refrigerant is injected into the ports and tubes including the portions 45, no substantial or appreciable vaporization occurs until the liquid refrigerant enters the tubes 4| within the sleeves 39, because the master valve 41 and the tubes including the portions 45 are thoroughly heat insulated. When the liquid refrigerant enters the tubes 4| within the sleeves 3 9, the vaporization starts and continues in an increasing` manner as the liquid refrigerant passes downwardly within the sleeves 39. The vaporized refrigerant now passes through the pipe 5|, to the intake side of the compressor 5W.

This cycle of operation of the refrigerant takes place simultaneously and continuously in all but one of the evaporator elements 38. One evaporator element has its tube 4| and associated port 55 in communication with the port 69 of the valve disc 64, Figure 17, and the boss 69 covers the single vport 56 leading to the particular port 55. The warm gaseous refrigerant from the discharge side of the compressor 5ta is continuously introduced through the pipe 12 and into the master valve 41. From the master valve 1, the warm gaseous refrigerant passes through the port 69 and into the port 55 in registration with the port 69 .and into the sleeve 39 of the corresponding evaporator unit to defrost the same. The

- gaseous refrigerant passes through the sleeve 39 in a manner similar to the travel of the liquid refrigerant and finally is discharged into the pipe 5|. As soon as the warm gaseous refrigerant enters the sleeve 39, it contacts with the bellows thermostat 42', Figures 11 and 20, which expands and closes the vvalve 4| which remains closed during the major portion of the defrosting cycle. This retains the pressure upon the warm gaseous refrigerant within the sleeve 39 at substantially the same pressure that it had before being supplied into the sleeve 39. This enables the warm gaseous refrigerant to properly heat the sleeve 39 for effecting the defrosting so that the ice tube will free itself from the sleeve and oat upwardly. At the end of the defrosting period, the supply of warm gaseous refrigerant is cut off from this sleeve 39 which was being defrosted and lthe liquid refrigerant introduced therein, which acts upon the bellows thermostat, causing it to open the valve 4 Figure 20. The liquid refrigerant within the sleeve 39, when the valve 4| is closed, escapes through port 44', Figure 20, and passes into the large pipe 50, and commingles with the expanded warm refrigerant in pipe 50, and pipe 5|. The presence of the warm expanded gases will provide the heat for the re-expansion of the liquid refrigerant V*passing through the port 4'4, as stated. This is true notwithstanding the Afact that the pipe 50 and a portion of pipe 5| are shown as heat insulated. However, pipe 13 extends beyond the heat insulation, Figures 5 and 19, and if any of the liquid refrigerant had not been revaporized it would be free to vaporize in the uninsulated portion of the pipe 5|, prior to its passage to the compressor Ela. Thus, while the ice cylinders |45 are being continuously and simultaneously frozen about twenty-nine of the evaporator elements 38, the ice cylinder |45 of the one evaporator element is defrosted sufficiently so that the freezing bondbetween the ice cylinder and evaporator element is broken. When this occurs the single cylinder |45 thus defrosted floats upwardly through the tank filled with water, and is guided by the baiile sections |46, Figures 1 and 2, and panels 34 and 35 between the crusher drums |29 and |3|, where the spikes |30 and |3|' cut the ice cylinder |45 into the small fragments or chips. The drums |29 and |3| v propel these chips upwardly toward the conveyor scoop |35, and the swinging baiiies |46 and |41, Figures 6 and 1, tend to crowd or converge the mass of ice chips inwardly so that the scoop or mouth |36 can pick them up as the conveyor scoop rotates. The scooped up ice chips contact the spiral segmental vanes |42, Figures 5 and 6, and are fed to the discharge end |39, and into the inclined chute |40. This cycle of operation is continuous, and as the valve disc 64- rotates in step-by-step fashion, the port 69 is arranged adjacent to each of the tube sections 46 in succession, and each of the evaporator elements 38 has its ice cylinder |45 removed.

`In the event that the continuous freezing cycle causes the water in the tank to approach freezing temperature, the bulb |12 opens the thermostat control switch |10 to open the circuit to the compressor, thus stopping the operation of the condenser` and stopping the freezing. When the temperature of the water rises sufficiently, the bulb |12 causes the control switch |10 to again start the compressor.

Attention is called to the ice crusher drums which have their inner sides projecting inwardly beyond the baiiies |44, and these inner sides travel upwardly. The outer` sides of the drums project outwardly beyond the baffles |44 and travel downwardly, Figure '1. This arrangement tends to circulate the water upwardly upon the inner sides of the baiiies, and downwardly upon their outer sides. ing of the ice tubes |45 to the crusher drums. The water istherefore continuously circulated upwardly about and in Contact with the sleeves 39 vof 4the evaporator units and this materially increases the heat transfer between the refrigerant and the water in contact with the sleeves 39, thus increasing the efficiency of the machine.

It is evident that I have provided an ice making machine which is completely automatic and continuous in its operation. The construction is simple 'and rugged and the machine is capable of operating in a highly efcient manner to produce large quantities of ice.

The valve |15 may be opened manually when the' machine is inoperative for completely drainingthe water storage tank.

The entire casing and tank, including panels 36, ||5, 30, 28', 34 and 35, as well as the cover |61, are all preferably formed of non-corrosive metal such as stainless steel.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without This circulation aids the fioatdeparting from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the-subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An ice making machine, comprising a tank to contain water, freezer elements mounted within the tank and submerged in the water and adapted to have pieces of ice formed thereon which float toward the top of the tank, rotary crusher elements mounted within the tank above the freezer elements and submerged in the water and adapted to crush the Apieces of ice into frag ments as the' pieces float upwardly between the rotary crusher elements, guide means mounted within the tank for conducting the floating pieces of ice between the inner sides of the rotary crusher elements and forming outer water circulating passages with the sides of the tank and adjacent to the outer sides of the rotary crusher elements, driving means to rotate the rotary crusher elements so that their inner sides travel upwardly and their outer sides travel downward ly, and a rotary conveyor element mounted upon the .tank above the rotary crusher elements and adapted to receive the fragments of iceas they fioat upwardly from the rotary crusher elements for conveying the same from the rotary crusher elements.

2. An ice making machine, comprising a tank for holding water, the tank including a lower main body portion, a tapered intermediate portion, and a top reduced extension, evaporator elements mounted within the main body portion of the tank and submerged in the water and adapted to form pieces of ice which oat upwardly in the tank, rotary ice crusher drums mounted within the reduced extension of the tank and submerged in the water and adapted to crush the pieces of ice into fragments as the pieces float upwardly between the crusher drums, the tapered intermediate portion of the tank guiding the pieces of ice into the crusher drums, and a rotary conveyor scoop mounted upon the reduced extension of the tank above the` fragments of ice which iioat upwardly from the crusher drums, the conveyor scoop having a spiral element and an open discharge end, the spiral element serving to convey the fragments of ice to the open discharge end as the conveyor scoop rotates.

3. A machine for making ice, comprising a casing, a first valve element connected with the casing and having a set of first restrictor ports and a set of second ports, a second valve element within the casing and forming with the rst valve` element a refrigerant receiving chamber and forming with the casing a heating fluid receiving chamber, the first ports leading into Vthe refrigerant receiving chamber, the second valve element having a 'part to cover the second ports and a port to be brought into communication with the second ports in succession and a part to cover the first ports in succession, means to eiect a relative turning movement between kthe valve elements, and a set of evaporator elements, each evaporator element including an outer sleeve adapted to have ice formed thereon and an inner tube discharging into the sleeve and having one end in communication with the first and second ports.

4. A `machine for making ice, comprising a casing, a first valve element connected with the casing and having a set of first restrictor ports and a set of second ports, a second valve element within the casing and forming with the first valve' element a refrigerant receiving chamber Aand' formingwith the' casing a heating fluidreceiving chamber, the first ports leading into the refrigerant receiving chamber, the second valve element having a part to cover the second ports and a port to be brought into communication with the second ports insuccession and a part to cover the first ports in succession, means toeffect a relative turning movement' between the valve elements, a waterstorage tank, a set of evaporator elements mounted within the storage tank and submerged in the water, each evaporator element including a part adapted to have ice formedk thereon and a tube connected with the last namedV part for conducting the refrigerant to the same, the tube having an end in communication with the first and second ports.

5. Amachine for making ice, comprising a casing, a rst valve element connected with the casing and having a set of rst restrictor ports and a set of second ports, a second valve element within the casing and forming with the first valve element a refrigerant receiving chamber and forming with the casing a heating fluid receiving chamber, the first ports leading into the refrigerantl receiving chamber, the second valve element having a part to cover the second ports and a port to be brought into communication with the second ports in succession and a part to cover the first ports in succession, means to effect a relative intermittent turning movement between the valve elements, a water storage tank including a plate, a set of evaporator elements mounted upon the plate and yprojecting into the tank and submerged in the water, the evaporator elements including outer sleeves adapted to have ice formed theron and inner tubes extending into the sleeves for `conveying the refrigerant to the sleeves and having ends in communication with the first and second ports, and ducts connected with the outer sleeves of the evaporator elements and in communication therewith for conveying th-e refrigerant away from the evaporator elements after it is volatilized.

6. A machine for making ice, comprising a casing, a rst valve clement connected with the casing and having a set of rst restrictor ports and a set of second ports, a second valve element within the casing and forming with the first valve element a refrigerant receiving chamber and forming with the casing a heating uid receiving chamber, the rst ports leading into the refrigerant receiving chamber, the second valve element having a part to cover the second ports and a port to be brought into communication with the second ports in succession and a part to cover the first ports in succession, a member connected with the second valve element to turn it, mechanical means including a one Way clutch device and gearing to effect an intermittent turning of the member, an electrical solenoid connected with the mechanical means to actuate the same, a water storage tank, a set of evaporator elements mounted within the water storage tank and submerged in the water, the evaporator elements including refrigerant conducting tubes in communication with the first and second ports, a prime mover, a rotary shaft connected with the prime mover and driven thereby and extending into the tank, mechanism mounted within the tank and connected with the rotary shaft and including an oscillating element, and a switch mounted upon the. oscillating elementV and electrically connected in series with, the solenoid and. adapted to open and close a circuit through. the solenoid when the oscillating element is actuated.

7. A machine for making ice, comprising a casing, a rst valve element connected with the casing and having a set of rst restrictor ports and a set of second ports, a second valve element within the casing and forming with the first valve element a refrigerant receiving chamber and forming with the casing a heating fluidreceiving chamber, the rst ports leading into the refrigerant receiving chamber, the secondl valve element having a part to cover the second ports and a port to be brought into communica-V tion with the second ports in succession and a part to cover the rst ports in succession, me-

chanical means to effect an intermittent turn-v ing of the second valve element, an electrical solenoid connected with the mechanical means to actuate such means, a Water storage tank, evaporator elements disposed within the tank and adapted to have ice formed thereon, refrigerant conducting tubes connecting the evaporator elements and rst valve element and in communication with the rst and second ports, a switch having terminals electrically connected with the solenoid, and automatic means to open and close the switch for alternately energizing and de-energizing the solenoid.

S. An ice making machine comprising a sleeve to be at least partly submerged in the Water and having an outlet opening, a valve to cover and uncover the outlet opening, a thermostatic device which is biased to hold the valve unseated during the freezing period and automatically operated by the heating uid within the sleeve during the melting period to seat the valve, and means to alternately introduce a refrigerant and heating fluid into the sleeve.

9. An ice making machine, comprising a substantially vertical sleeve to be at least partly submerged in the water and provided near its bottom with an outlet opening, a valvevto cover and uncover the outlet opening, a thermostatic element within the sleeve and biased to hold the valve unseated during the freezing period and to close the valve during the melting period, an inlet tube leading into the sleeve and having its outlet end arranged near the upper end of the tube, and means to alternately supply a refrigerant and a heating fluid into the tube.

10. A machine for making ice, comprising a casing, a first valve element within the casing and having a substantially annular set of. rst ports and a substantially annular set of second ports having their intake ends arranged in substantial concentric relation, a second valve element Within the casing and forming with the rst valve element a refrigerant receiving chamber and forming with the casing a heating fluid receiving chamber, the rst ports being arranged to lead into the refrigerant receiving chamber, the second valve element having a part to cover the second'ports and a port to be brought into communication withV the second ports in succession and a part to cover the second ports in succession, means to effect a relative turning movement between the valve elements, a water storage tank, a plurality of evaporators mounted within the storage tank and at least partly submerged in the water, the evaporators including sleeves to have ice formed thereon, each sleeve being provided with an outlet opening, a valve to cover and uncover the outlet opening, a thermostatic element con:` nected with the valve and biasedA to hold the valve unseated during the freezing period, the thermostatc element being actuated by heating fluid within the sleeve to seat the valve, tubes leading into the sleeves and having their inlet ends in communication with the rst and second sets of ports, means for supplying a refrigerant to the refrigerant receiving chamber, and means for supplying a heating uid into the heating fluid receiving chamber.

11. A machine for making ice, comprising a casing, a iirst valve element connected With the casing and having a first substantially annu` iar set of contractor ports and a second substantially annular set of ports, the inlet ends of the first set of ports and the second set of ports being arranged in spaced substantially concen- `tric relation, a second valve element within the casing and forming with the first valve element a refrigerant receiving chamber and forming with the casing a separate heating fluid receiving chamber, the first set of ports being arranged to lead into the refrigerant receiving chamber, the second valve element having a part to cover the second set of ports and a port to be brought into communication with the second set of ports in succession and a part to cover the rst set of ports in succession, means to effect a relative turning movement between the valve elements, a set of evaporator elements including sleeves adapted to have ice formed thereon, means to bring Water into contact with the evaporator elements, tubes discharging into the sleeves and having their intake ends in coinmunication with the rst and second sets of ports, a compressor, a conduit connected with the intake side of the compressor and in cornmunication with the interior of the sleeves, an outlet pipe connected With the outlet side of the compressor, a condenser coil connected with the outlet pipe, a liquid refrigerant receiving tank connected with the condenser coil, a liquid refrigerant supply pipe connected with the tank and leading into the refrigerant receiving chamber, and a pipe connected with the outlet pipe of the compressor between the compressor and the condenser coil to receive heated gasses from the compressor and leading into the heating iiuid receiving chamber.

12. A machine for making ice, comprising a casing, a first valve element connected with the casing and having a substantially annular set of rst contractor ports and a substantially annular set of second ports, a second valve element Within the casing and forming with the first valve element a refrigeration chamber upon one side of the second valve element and forming with the casing a heating nuid receiving chamber upon the opposite side of the second valve element, the first ports being arranged to lead into the refrigerant receiving chamber, the second valve element having a part to cover the second ports and a port to be brought into communication with the second ports in succession and a part to cover the first ports in succession, means to effect an intermittent turning movement of the second valve, releasable means to hold the second valve in position during the dwell, a tank for holding water, evaporator elements at least partly submerged in the Water, tubes discharging into the evaporator elements and in communication with the first and second ports, a pipe for supplying the refrigerant to the refrigerant receiving chamber, a pipe for supplying heating fluid to the heating uid receiving chamber, and conduit means connected with the evaporator elements for receiving the expanded refrigerant therefrom.

JAMES W. BRASWELL, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this :patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,451,901 Field Apr. 17, 1923 1,791,923 Eule Feb. 10, 1931 1,618,082 Mott Aug. 11, 1931 1,928,173 Gerstenberg Sept. 26, 1933. 1,961,907 Mott June, 1934 2,105,460 Gaugler Jan. 11, 1938 2,145,774 Muffly Jan. 31, 1939 2,186,657 Saussure Jan. 9, 1940 2,239,234 Kubaugh Apr. 22, 1941 2,247,107 Waterll June 24, 1941 2,405,273 Smith Aug. 6, 1946 2,444,514 Kubaugh July 6, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 513,562 France Feb. 18, 1921 644,910 Germany May 15, 1937 925,476 France Sept. 4, 1947 

